Cleaner



Jan. 6, 1931. J. R. ROBINSON CLEANER Filed Dec. 27, 1927 INVENTOR in which:

Patented Jan. 6, 1931 JAMES R. ROBINSON, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA CLEANER Application filed December 27, 1927. Serial No. 242,918.

My invention consists of an improvement in wind shield cleaners for automobiles or other vehicle driven by motive power. It has in view to provide a readily applied attachment to the heating systemutilizing engine heated air, whereby to direct the hot air against a portion of the wind shield, for melting an accumulation ojisnow or'ice thereon, or for moisture evaporation.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view through a portion' of the engine and drivers compartment of an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a view of the device from the rear, on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1, showing the application of heated air against the wind shield;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial view like Fig. 1, show ing application of hot air to the front of the shield.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the engine of a motor vehicle mounted in the usual way with relation to the radiator 3 and fan 4. A hot air conducting box or shell 5 surrounds a portion of-the engine cylinders or the exhaust manifold thereof, open at the front and in the line of circulation of air backwardly beyond the fan. 'Box 5 is provided with an outlet terminal 6 with which is connected a delivery pipe 7 extending backwardly within the car'beyond partition 8.

Secured on the inner end of pipe 7 is a valve fitting 9 having an upper and a lower connection for pipes 10 and 11 respectively. Fitting 9 is provided with a valve 12 of any suitable construction mounted in the fitting for deflecting hot air upwardly through pipe 10 or downwardlythrough pipe 11 as the valve is lowered or raised by its operating handle 13. Mounted on the top of pipe 10 is a hollow distributing header 14 by its attaching neck or extension 15, the connections being of the usual kind utilized in pipe fitting, or otherwise as may be preferred for quick attachment and disconnection.

Header 14 is extended laterally as shown source, it may be adapted for the cleani and is provided with openings 16 of any convenient shape for delivering hot air in the form of a wide or fan shaped diverging stream against the inner side of the shield 17 of the machine. 7

The header is of suitable size and shape for location across. and closely adjacent the base of the wind shield glass, so as not to obstruct the vision ofthe driver, and at one side in the general line of sight. As shown it curves forwardly and occupies comparatively little room, and may be easily disconnected from the fitting 9 during warm weather, or the entire upper and lower distributing equipment may be removed from pipe 7.

By throwing valve 12 downwardl as shown all of the hot air may be directed upwardly, or by setting the valve at any intermediate position the heated air may be distributed both upwardly and downwardly.

By throwing the valve clear up as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 3, the upper connection may be out 01f and the full volume delivered to lower pipe 11.

Valve handle 13 may be provided with a 7 locking attachment 18 for engagement with a toothed bearing .19 by which the valve may be positively located in any desired position, with facility for easy adjustment as used.

It will be obvious that the header 14 may 80 also be located in front of the wind shield as in Fig. 4, in which case the connection 106; is suitably shaped for connection with the valve casing 9 and 'forfitting through the hood to the exterior. as

My improved cleaner may be utilized in connection with any vehicle or other form of transporting or moving unit or vessel having a wind shield or protecting window, subject to vision obstruction by the'weather. Thus, by collecting heated air from any availablg o a window or the like on a locomotive, tro ley car, motor boat, etc.

The construction'and operation of the device will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing descri tion. It provides an easily applied means or heating the glass of a wind shield or other similar window sufliciently warm toicause melting of ad- 100 the fan and closed at its other end and operatively mounted on the engine of an automobile, of a pipe connected with the closed end of said conductor provided with a valve casing having an upward flow and a downward flow controlling valve, a branch pipe leading downwardly from the valve casing, and a branch pipe connected with the valve casing leading upwardly therefrom and provided with a perforated header for distribution of heated air against a wind shield.

2. The combination with a fan and a hot air conductor open at its intake end adjacent the fan and closed at its other end and operatively mounted on the engine of an" automobile, of a pipe connected with the closed end of said conductor provided with a valve casing having an upward flow and a downward flow controlling valve, a branch pipe leading downwardly from the valve casing, a branch pipe connected with the valve casin leading upwardly therefrom and provide with a perforatedheader for distribution of heated In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES R. ROBINSON.

air against a wind shield, and means for opcrating the valve provided with a holding device, whereby hot air may be proportionally distributed upwardly towards the wind shield or downwardly to the interior, or both.

3. In-a motor vehicle having a. fan and an internal combustion engine and a front transparent wind shield, an open ended conduit covering a portion of the engine terminating adjacent the usual fan adapted to receive a current of 'incomin air for heating, a hot air conduit leading Irom the other end of the conduit having a closed valve casing, a conduit leading upwardly from the valve casing provided with a hot air distributing header adjacent the wind shield, a conduit leading downwardly from the valve casing to the interior of the vehicle, and a valve in'the casing having means for adjusting it to varying positions to fully open or close communication with either conduit, or to partially open or close communication to either.

4. In a motor vehicle havin internal combustion engine and a front transparent wind shield, an open ended conduit covering a portion of the engine terminating adjacentthe usual fan adaptedtoreceive a current of incoming air for heatin a hot air conduit leading therefrom from the other end of the conduit having a closed valve casa fan and an 

